Chanchal Thapa

Guest Faculty
Department of Mass Communication
Darjeeling Hills University

BIO

Chanchal Thapa is a Post Graduate of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi with a Diploma in Film & Television Production followed by MA in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2012, he shot the PSBT documentary, ‘From Sadir to Bharatnatyam’ following the evolution of the temple dance of the Devadasis to the structured & codified form of present day Bharatnatyam. ‘Jahan Chah Wahan Raah’ was another documentary he shot for Azim Premji Foundation in Uttarakhand about teachers who have made a difference in rural schools by making learning exciting through innovative pedagogical practices. Back home in Mirik, he has helped write and shoot Nepali Indie feature films ‘DhruvaTara’ (2015), Krossroads(in post) and various shorts ‘Macha ko Mol’, ‘Hamro Kukhura ko Bhaley’, directed by Phurba Tshering Lama. He won the best screenplay at Rang Mukut Film Festival, Tripura in 2021 for his short ‘Matoko Pida’, based on Dhanbir Puri’s short story. Presently, as co-founder of Indigenous Film Collective, he leads a collective of filmmakers from Darjeeling & Sikkim to highlight socio-political and cultural narratives of the region through films and documentaries.

EDUCATION

MA Mass Communication & Journalism

PG Diploma in Film & TV

UGC NET, WBSET

BA (Honours) in English, St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Independent Cinema, Auteur Theory, Shifting Newscapes

EXPERIENCE

Teaching Assistant, Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communications, New Delhi (2010-11). Mentored students through the fundamentals of cinematography, storytelling and audio- visual aesthetics. Assisted students with their practical exercises, held comparative reviews of their projects and helped them understand the nuances of movement, framing and lighting.

Worked as 2nd unit cameraperson for multiple National Award winning documentary filmmaker Bappa Ray on the documentary, ‘Gaddi of Himachal Pradesh’.

Designed and animated a stop motion signature film for the Twilight Film Festival, 2010, New Delhi.

Cameraperson for a Spanish/Hindi poetic documentary, ‘Delhi-plegaria insomne’ by the Chilean poet Rosario Concha, 2011.

Led distribution team at FerryTale Pictures for the feature film JAAR, handling all logistics and exhibition decisions for India, (2025).

Mentored young interns locally and trained them in the art of cinematography, lighting and its basics and help them start their careers.

PUBLICATIONS

Published a review of the Hindi film ‘Sherni’ (dir. Amit Masurkar) in popular online portal FILM COMPANION, 2021, titled ‘Vidya Balan dreams of saving Tigers on a desk job’.

A Decade of Films from Darjeeling and Sikkim, 2010-2019 (upcoming).

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

Resource Person, Karim City College, Mass Com Dept. Jamshedpur (2020). Delivered an e-workshop on filmmaking techniques and cinematography.

Guest Lecturer, Southfield College, Sociology Dept. Darjeeling (2022). Conducted a session on the impact of media on society, with focus on new media.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

Best Screenplay for ‘Matoko Pida’ (Mud Malady), Rang Mukut Film Festival, Tripura, 2021.

Best Music Video for ‘Inspiration’ (Rampaaze), 5th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), 2012.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

To be updated.